Sports
‘Unbelievable Ride,’ Says Henderson As Princeton Takes On Missouri
As Princeton prepares to meet Missouri on Saturday, coach Mitch Henderson told Patch the team won't shy away from a challenge.
PRINCETON, NJ — Back in 1996, Princeton Men’s Basketball Team created history when they beat No. 3 UCLA in the NCAA tournament. At the time, coach Mitch Henderson was the star player in Pete Carril’s team.
Three decades later, Henderson had a hand in one of the biggest upsets in NCAA tournament history.
On Thursday, Henderson coached 15-seed Princeton in a shock upset against No. 2 seed Arizona. The Tigers beat the Wildcats 59-55.
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And for Henderson, the season has been special and unbelievable.
“It has been an unbelievable ride this season, and especially this past week,” Henderson told Patch in a statement.
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“Yesterday was one of the most remarkable days in the storied history of Princeton Basketball. This team stuck to the game plan, and executed at such a high level.”
It is only the 11th time in tournament history that a 15-seeded team knocked out a No. 2.
In his post-match conference, Henderson said he didn't want to compare the current team to the 1995-96 team.
"There's going to be some comparisons from some of you, I'm sure, to coach Carril. But I want to be really clear that this group did this, and that was a really long time ago," Henderson said.
Henderson has coached his Alma Mater since 2011.
“Princeton basketball is special, I firmly believe it is unlike any program in the Ivy League and any other program in the country,” Henderson told Patch.
“Parents from all over the globe entrust us with their children because they know their sons will play basketball at the highest level and receive an education that truly can change their family’s trajectory.”
The Tigers will now take on No. 7 Missouri on Saturday in the round of 32. And Henderson says his team is ready for the challenge.
“We did not shy away from that challenge, and we won’t shy away from the one upcoming against Missouri,” Henderson said.
“We believe we can play with any team in the country, and look forward to another opportunity to play together in front of the nation on Saturday.”
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